My idea of “escape” includes hiking the local forests and fields in search of wild flowers and great photo opportunities. Thanks to a photographer friend who also loves native plants, I was led to some woodland treasures I would otherwise not have discovered on my own: native orchids. My favorite one is the yellow Lady’s-Slipper (Cyprepedium calceolus).
I was not prepared for how large the plant itself is, about two feet tall, and how striking the two-inch pouch-like flower. There were only two stands of yellow Lady’s slippers on an entire hill side covered with other, smaller orchids and maidenhair ferns. Unfortunately, people love these wild orchids to death – they’ll dig them up and transplant them into their gardens where they die. These orchids have very special growing requirements relying on endomycorrhizal fungi in the soil that just do not exist in an ordinary garden. Why do people always want to OWN things rather than just enjoying them in their true, wild habitat?
Here is a close-up of one of these precious, utterly beautiful flowers:
The same area that provided habitat for the yellow Lady’s slippers, also produced hundreds of Showy Orchis (Galearis spectabilis), a much smaller native orchid. Only six to twelve inches tall, it produces a respectable spike of lilac to magenta colored flowers with white sepals and petals forming a hood. Their scent was crisp and a bit lilac-ey.
The third kind of orchid was far away from the road so no one could stumble upon them accidentally. Maybe because of their remote location, these flowers managed to form huge colonies covering the forest floor.
The Pink Lady’s Slipper (Cypripedium acaule) is only 6 to 15 inches tall, but has a two to three inch flower which is a pouch consisting of two lobes. The color ranges from a very light pink to a light magenta color.
It was truly thrilling to find these orchids growing wild and in such abundance. A blessed escape, indeed.
What beautiful orchids, Annette, and in the wild no less! It’s lucky for you that you happened upon them. It’s too bad people feel the need to own them, and in the process destroy them. 🙂
LikeLike
Thank you, Cathy. It was such a blessing to witness so much beauty in one place.
LikeLike
Thank you for the post about the orchids. I am also passionate about natural beauty and finding those rare gems that are left to flourish undisturbed. I have just begun my quest to witness wild orchids. I have been blessed to see some this spring. Can you share the site you found the yellow orchids? perhaps privately, as I understand the need to protect them. I have enjoyed your blog!
LikeLike
Hi Darlene – nice to hear from you. Are you local?
LikeLike
I am in South central PA. Hoping to catch a glimpse of these beautiful orchids this year!
I just saw my first pink ladies slipper. Heaven!
LikeLike
Aren’t they gorgeous – such gems hidden in the woodlands. BTW, I am not free to give away the location of the orchids I photographed; plus they are on private lands. But if you have them in your area, you are blessed.
LikeLike
Thank you, I appreciate your concern and understand.
I may be able to find some more locally as I have been working with a foundation here in PA. Enjoy!
LikeLike
Discovering a Lady’s-Slipper when you are hiking is a truly amazing event. It rates right next to sitting on a rock, from a safe distance, and watching a bear and her cubs. Your pictures absolutely do justice to that event, they are gorgeous.
LikeLike
Charlie, so true…. it’s like coming across a field of diamonds, except you can’t take them and make money off of them. You just get to enjoy the view and the energy of it all.
LikeLike
Exquisite photos – like a grand ballerina
LikeLike
I like that comparison, Keith, like a ballerina!
LikeLike
What a stunning find, Annette! Not something I would expect to see in Virginia either.
LikeLike
Actually, you’d be amazed what grows in the highlands of Virginia. Our elevation provides a micro-climate that is more like that of much more Northern States and Canada.
LikeLike
love the yellow close up.
LikeLike
Yes, that is my favorite as well!
LikeLike
Annette, thank you so much for connecting with me (Via Hanne) and it’s wonderful to come and visit your incredible blog. I love your creative interpretation of the ‘Escape’ theme and I’m very much looking forward to seeing the world through your eyes. What a pleasure. Can’t wait! Peace and blessings to you. Michele
LikeLike
Hi Michele, very nice to meet you, too. I enjoyed your work on your blog and it looks like we have some similar interests. Looking forward to seeing our work unfold….
LikeLike
Hi Annette, lovely to meet you here and I’m excited to meet a fellow photographer/poet. You sound wonderful and your blog is very inspiring. I promise to return soon for another visit. By the way, in another comment you asked why I chose to learn German? Your question got me thinking. The simple answer is that I don’t feel completely at home in English; and, at the time, I was looking for other forms of linguistic expression.
LikeLike
Quite frankly, I would shit if I ever came across orchids in the wild!!!! What a find!!!!
LikeLike
That might help fertilize the soil for more of them to grow 🙂
LikeLike
Such spectacular flowers and beautiful photographs. Nature should be left to be nature.
LikeLike
I agree with you, Chasquita.
LikeLike
Beautiful flowers. Orchids are just wonderful flowers. Great pics!
LikeLike
Thank you, EagleAye, for stopping by.
LikeLike
Why DO people insist on owning things? And people? Good question.
You can own everything if you’re content to own by looking, and admiring, and being grateful.
LikeLike
I had no idea orchids grew in Virginia. I guess you learn things every day.
LikeLike
Yes, there are quite a few native, wild orchids in the highlands. Some of them are much more modest, but others (like the ones I photographed) are true Prima Donnas and take center stage!
LikeLike
How wonderful that you had the opportunity to see orchids in the wild. Where I live, we only see the cultured ones. Beautiful photos, nice escape!
LikeLike
Thank you, Rosanna.
LikeLike
Love the wild orchids! We used to have pink lady slippers growing in the woods behind my house when I was growing up in NH- they’re so wonderful & special! and you’re so right about why do people always feel they have to OWN things instead of just enjoying their beauty & moving on.
LikeLike
-I’ve never seen yellow ones. Amazing!
LikeLike
Hi Holly – thanks for stopping by. Glad you enjoyed the orchids, they truly are special.
LikeLike
What an amazing collection of wild orchids, how lucky to find so many and such variety in a small area. Isn’t nature incredible with her abundant variety 🙂
LikeLike
I so agree with you, Seonaid.
LikeLike
Beautiful shots! Love the close up of the Yellow Lady’s Slipper.
LikeLike
Thank you!
LikeLike
An exciting adventure. I am amazed at how abundant Lady’s-Slippers are in this forest. A gem of a discovery. Beautiful pictures!
LikeLike
Pingback: Oh, The Places You’ll Go: My first blogging year in review | The Beauty Along the Road